Aerosol spraying in sunburst

[spleenharvester]

Since my new Hot Rails got here I am more than happy enough with the sound of my guitar, so I've decided not to upgrade.

However, I would quite like a tobacco sunburst finish, since the finish on there at the mo is just tacky silver. It's an RGX121Z.

Since I'm getting quoted about £300 at the moment, would I be better off trying it myself? How would I get the existing finish off there? What kind of spray do I need?

Cheers

[Bfeeney]

If you are going for the traditional transparent tobacco sunburst you got some sanding to do. I'd get 180 grit to blast through the clear coat, then 320 to get through the paint and sealer. Get a random orbit sander and a sh!t load of paper. If you're using paint to make the tobacco sunburst then just scuff it and paint over the existing stuff. With the aplying part, paints paint. You have different quality though, a $1 can of gloss black might not look as good as a $5 can. The clear is what makes or breaks, well everything. I am fortunate enough that I work in an auto body shop so I've painted 2 guitars so far, you REALLY need to use automotive clear. It builds up so nice, if you get a little scratch in it you just wet sand with 1500 then buff and your done. And it is strong, look at all the cars that get shopping carts banged into them at the store, it might dent the metal but it doesn't chip (most of the time).

[SabbathFan0220]

There are three ways to get the old finish off: sandpaper, heat gun, or chemical stripper.

As far as applying the new finish, it takes a lot of practice to get a professional looking burst. Don't expect it to look like an off-the-shelf guitar on your first try.

ReRanch is a great resource for finishing info and also a good place to buy the supplies you'll need.

[Bfeeney]

Go to the lumber store and get a cheap piece of wood to practice spraying on, There is a technique to spraying, that way your only out $5-$10.

[Lazarus1140]

In my opinion it is difficult to produce great looking burst finishes using spray cans, and in my somewhat limited experience it is nearly impossible to get a professional looking burst finish using them.

Since I already had a small compressor at home I gave up on the rattle cans and bought an airbrush to apply the nitorcellulose lacquer color and clear finish coats on my Tele. In reality an airbrush will not put out enough paint to do the large areas, but it works great for the tight areas near the neck joint. Finally, I bought a "touch up" gun which would have been perfect had my compressor been larger.

If you're not extremely picky the cans will work, but be prepared to do some serious sanding between coats ... particularly before and after applying clear coats.

[JordanM82]

There are three ways to get the old finish off: sandpaper, heat gun, or chemical stripper.

As far as applying the new finish, it takes a lot of practice to get a professional looking burst. Don't expect it to look like an off-the-shelf guitar on your first try.

ReRanch is a great resource for finishing info and also a good place to buy the supplies you'll need.

+1, and expect it to be alot of work, if you can accept that now and be okay with the guitar being out of commission for several weeks while you do this, then I saw go for it.

also I would practice finishing on some scrap wood while you learn how to do the burst, I have heard people really struggle with those tho I have only done a solid color myself.

[spleenharvester]

Thankyou very much for the advice everyone, much appreciated.

I have a trashed SG body I can do a test run on, I'm guessing I need some form of face mask if I'm heatgunning the finish off?

[Bfeeney]

I'm guessing I need some form of face mask if I'm heatgunning the finish off?

Only if you are afraid of your guitar exploding! No, you don't need one. The top paint/clear will separate from the sealer creating a little (or big) bubble then you get a putty knife and just 'help' it off, shouldn't require much effort. Open a window, kinda stinks.

[Aceman]

Airbrush + LOTS of practice....a whole lot.